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Scrimgeour said the granite wall was an appropriate acknowledgement of the people buried there.

"The 2015/2016 consensus seemed to be, 'let's put up the memorial wall and not put a lot of energy into what might be quite a difficult project to get right'. We were involved with interested parties who said a memorial wall was the right approach.

"In some ways, I think it is almost slightly disrespectful to turn around and say, 'thanks, but now we want to do something else'."

He said the location of the graves was unknown.

"There are maps but, because some bodies have been dug up over time, there's some uncertainty.

"The ground-penetration radar doesn't prove there is a burial at the site, but it shows where ground has been disturbed. It's not conclusive."

Scrimgeour said plaques could be considered — but only if DoC received a formal proposal.

"It needs the support of the wider community, not driven by just one or two people."

"There will always be room for improvement. It's certainly better than what it was 20 years ago."

Zinsli said DoC had received several formal proposals.

"It was known and stated from day one that we wanted to put a plaque on each and every grave. Stop making excuses and honour your commitments."

DECLINE AND RUIN

Buildings have been left to the ravages of time. Photo / Hunter Calder